Faith, Love, and Choosing Life's Blessings
Summary
In this sermon, I discussed the concept of faith and its role in our lives. I emphasized that faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things unseen. It operates in the unseen realm and moves from the unseen to the seen. Once you see it, you don't need faith to have it because faith is what produced it. I also touched on the importance of love in our hearts for faith to flow, as faith works by love. I clarified that it's not just any faith we're using, but specifically Jesus's faith. I also addressed the question of why it seems in the Old Testament that God did some horrible things, explaining that it's the enemy who steals, kills, and destroys, not God. I concluded by emphasizing that God wants us to enjoy life and that we have a choice to choose life and blessings.
Key takeaways:
- Faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things unseen. It operates in the unseen realm and moves from the unseen to the seen. [ 27:36]
- Faith works by love and it's Jesus's faith that we're using. [ 28:15]
- The enemy, not God, is the one who steals, kills, and destroys. [ 42:54]
- God wants us to enjoy life and we have a choice to choose life and blessings. [ 01:03:14]
- The assumption that man is inherently good is not supported by the Bible. [ 01:06:05]
Study Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Hebrews 11:1 [27:36]
2. Genesis 1:26 [52:54]
3. James 4:7 [41:02]
Observation Questions:
1. In Hebrews 11:1, what does it mean when it says "faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen"?
2. In Genesis 1:26, what does it mean that man is made in the image and likeness of God? How does this relate to the concept of free will?
3. In James 4:7, what does it mean to submit to God and resist the devil?
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of faith as described in Hebrews 11:1 relate to our understanding of God's promises and His unseen work in our lives?
2. How does being made in the image and likeness of God, as stated in Genesis 1:26, affect our choices and actions?
3. How can we practically apply James 4:7 in our daily lives, especially in moments of temptation or spiritual warfare?
Application Questions:
1. Can you recall a situation where you had to rely on faith, as described in Hebrews 11:1, to trust in God's promises even when you couldn't see the outcome? How did that experience shape your understanding of faith?
2. Considering Genesis 1:26, how does understanding that you are made in the image and likeness of God influence your decisions and actions? Can you share a specific instance where this understanding impacted your choices?
3. Reflecting on James 4:7, can you identify a recent situation where you had to resist the devil and submit to God? How did you handle it and what was the outcome?
Devotional
Day 1: The Power of Faith
Faith is not just a belief, but a powerful force that moves from the unseen to the seen. It is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen. It is the faith of Jesus that we are using, and it is greater than anything in this world. As Jesus is in this world, so are we. [27:36]
Bible Passage: Hebrews 11:1 - "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen."
Reflection: How can you apply your faith to a current situation in your life?
Day 2: The Love-Faith Connection
Faith works by love. It is not just about having faith, but also about having love in your heart. This love is what allows faith to flow. It is God's faith that we are using, and it is fueled by love. [28:15]
Bible Passage: Galatians 5:6 - "For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love."
Reflection: How can you express your faith through love today?
Day 3: The Adversary's Tactics
We have an adversary who is constantly trying to deceive us and lead us astray. He does not discriminate and shows no mercy. The only thing he backs up to is a power greater than himself. We must be vigilant and resist him steadfast in faith. [39:48]
Bible Passage: 1 Peter 5:8 - "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour."
Reflection: How can you resist the adversary's tactics and stand firm in your faith?
Day 4: The Curse of the Fall
The fall of man brought a curse upon the earth and our bodies, which were made from the earth. Despite this curse, we are called to believe by faith that we can be healthy and whole. [37:30]
Bible Passage: Genesis 3:17 - "Cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil you will eat food from it all the days of your life."
Reflection: How can you apply your faith to overcome the physical challenges you face?
Day 5: God's Goodness Amidst Old Testament Events
There are events in the Old Testament that may seem contradictory to God's goodness and love. However, these events are part of God's larger story and plan. God's story uses violence so our story can have peace. [28:54]
Bible Passage: Isaiah 55:8 - "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD.
Reflection: How can you reconcile the events of the Old Testament with God's goodness and love?
Quotes
1. "In our lives, God, we commit ourselves to walk in faith. Lord, I pray that you bless families, bless jobs, Lord, bless everything that we put our hands to this week. God, we love you and we thank you and it's in Jesus name we pray." - 01:14:22
2. "Faith is the substance of things hoped for, evidence of things which are not seen. Faith works in the unseen realm, it moves from the unseen to the seen. Once you see it, you don't need faith to have it because faith is what produced it." - 26:22
3. "Your adversary, the devil, hates you. He hates everything about you. You remind him of God, you remind him of the authority of God. You remind him of everything that God loves. And it's our responsibility to have dominion over him, have authority and not let him have any more authority in our life at all." - 39:45
4. "The enemy, the devil, does not discriminate. He shows no mercy in any situation. In any and every situation, he shows no mercy. If he sees an opportunity, he's going to take it. The only thing the devil backs up to is a power greater than himself." - 39:45
5. "God gave us free will and he gave us the Earth. That combination coming together is very important to the believer's mindset. Love is only love when it is accompanied by free will. You can't say I love my wife and you keep her chained in the basement. Love and free will are connected, they are absolutely joined at the hip." - 54:08
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